Shipperbottom, Tina

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 500930 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Sue Riley

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.3

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.3

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her family, in Darwen, Lancashire. There are facilities close by such as parks, schools and shops. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for five children, of whom, four are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Toilet facilities are provided on the first floor. The childminder walks and drives to the local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are safe, secure and cared for in a clean and comfortable home. A child- friendly environment is created to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder has developed a close working relationship with parents, which helps her to understand children's individual needs and to achieve a consistent approach to the children's care. All aspects of children's welfare are suitably promoted and ensure children are safeguarded. Each child's individuality is recognised by the childminder, which ensures their welfare needs are met and enables them to make steady progress in their learning and development according to the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is starting to use the self-evaluation process to identify areas for improvement to ensure that that the provision for children is continually improving.

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 develop further the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify current strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for children  develop further the observations on children's progress to ensure their next steps in learning are clearly identified and used in planning to promote learning and to monitor their progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has implemented an effective policy and procedure which she shares with parents. The policy is clear in informing parents and carers of her responsibilities to ensure children are fully protected. Parents are reassured because the childminder provides information about how she is registered, about vetting arrangements for herself and other household members over 16 and about her experience and training. The childminder effectively maintains her records. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. Confidentiality is maintained and documents are kept secure. Records of risk assessments are in place for all areas of the home used for childminding purposes and the childminder makes regular checks to identify and minimise any hazards. Effective safety measures are in place with regard to the premises. The door to the house is kept locked to prevent

p.5

the early years provision

unwanted visitors from entering the premises, ensuring children are safe.

p.5

the early years provision

Parent partnerships are promoted well, ensuring children's individual needs are met. When children first start with the childminder, parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child's care needs, likes and dislikes, cultural and religious requirements. The childminder exchanges information with parents daily as she talks about what their child has been doing throughout the day. She seeks parent's views about her provision through annual questionnaires. Partnerships with other providers that minded children attend are well established and make a sound contribution to children's achievement and well-being. Equality for all children in the childminder's care is promoted and the childminder is aware to adapt activities to ensure they can engage and progress their learning. Resources that reflect today's diverse society are readily available for the children to play with, helping them to begin to understand about differences in a positive manner.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates ambition, vision and drive to develop the provision further. She attends regular training to continually improve her own knowledge and understanding around caring for children. The childminder has started to think about self-evaluation and to reflect on what she provides, in discussion she is able to demonstrate her weaknesses and identify a few strengths of her practice. The childminder organises the environment effectively to ensure children have suitable areas for play and rest. She is aware of their individual needs and plans effectively to ensure toys and activities are accessible to all.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a sound working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn and develop through playing. She is constantly observing children during play and records some of what she sees. She gathers information about children's starting points, individual needs and preferences and she regularly exchanges information with parents. However, this This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information is not yet used effectively to clearly identify children's next steps in their learning. The childminder provides a variety of resources that encourage children's curiosity and help them to become inquisitive learners. They are able to make some independent choices as a selection of toys are placed around the play areas within their reach. The childminder is warm and welcoming to the children,

p.5

and outcomes for children

thus providing a safe emotional environment where children feel safe and secure. Activities are starting to be planned, but these are mainly based around a theme and not always from the information gathered from the observations and assessments of individual children.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are taught about safety issues as part of the daily routine. For example, they take part in regular emergency evacuation procedures to raise their awareness of keeping themselves safe. Also, when out and about they are taught about road safety and stranger danger. The younger children are encouraged to share and take turns in a positive manner and are praised for this, which helps to raise their self-esteem. They are starting to use their manners. The older children are encouraged to help with the tidying away of the toys, they are offered lots of positive praise. Older children are reminded in a gentle manner about the house rules of not jumping on the furniture.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The younger children are starting to develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles. They soon become aware of the hand-washing routines as they follow the appropriate practices to prevent the risk of cross-infection. The meals given suggest a balanced, healthy diet is provided. The childminder considers all dietary needs and takes these into account when planning the menus for the week. Older children help themselves to a drink as they become thirsty, this promotes their independence. With the younger children the childminder offers them a drink at regular intervals so they do not become thirsty. They have established routines and this helps them to feel at ease and protected. Children are encouraged to play outside, taken for walks daily or visit the local parks, so they feel the benefits of fresh air and exercise.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages learning as she plays and supports the children. For example, she encourages and supports a young child who is starting to sit by themselves. Children have fun with the childminder and make happy sounds, they confidently go to the childminder and ask for her help or support in their own way. They regularly attend parent and toddler groups to help them learn how to socialise with others. Children enjoy singing nursery rhymes together and following the actions. They sit and listen as the childminder tells them a story. The older children are very imaginative with their language. The younger children are starting to use sounds but they do understand what is said to them. The childminder constantly talks to them about what they are doing and offers them lots of choices, this allows the children to make their own decisions. Counting is encouraged and the children learn in a positive manner. They learn about the

p.6

and outcomes for children

different shapes and size as they handle the different toys. Children problem solve as they complete the jigsaw puzzles or as they design and build their own structures with the plastic building bricks.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of the wider world through playing with appropriate resources and visiting different places within the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 community. As children play with the interactive or reward toys they are learning the basic skills around the exploration of technology. For example, children enjoy pressing the buttons on an interactive book and the childminder encourages them to press different ones and the children get excited and they laugh together. Children play imaginatively, for example, they climb into a small crate and pretend they are worms in an apple or they take on the role of a cat and dog and want to be petted by the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.8

Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9